Complete Guide to Korean Soups & Stews (40+ Recipes)
Korean soups and stews are warm, nourishing, and deeply comforting—essential on every Korean table. From light everyday soups to hearty, meal-in-a-bowl jjigae, this guide brings you 40+ authentic recipes you can make at home.
In most Korean homes—including mine—a warm bowl of soup or stew is part of everyday life. Sometimes it sits quietly beside the main dish, and other times it is the main dish. Either way, it anchors the meal and brings that unmistakable “home” feeling Koreans love.
Korean soups come in several styles, each with its own personality:
- Guk (국): Light, everyday soups served alongside rice
- Jjigae (찌개): Thick, bold Korean stews that are usually the star of the table
- Tang (탕): Heartier soups made with long-simmered broths
- Jeongol (전골): Shared hot pots cooked with assorted ingredients at the table
- Guksu (국수): Brothy noodle soups made with wheat noodles or knife-cut noodles—simple and comforting for quick meals
- Juk (죽): Creamy Korean porridge made by slowly simmering grains until smooth, gentle, and nourishing
How Koreans Enjoy Soup & Stew
In Korean homes, soup or stew isn’t an occasional comfort—it’s part of the rhythm of daily meals. Light soups like Gyeran Guk or Miyeok Guk show up on repeat, while hearty jjigae and long-simmered tang are saved for weekends, gatherings, or whenever someone needs an extra-cozy meal.
Below, you’ll find the soups and stews I cook most often in my own kitchen. They come together quickly, use simple Korean pantry ingredients, and bring deep umami without fuss. Whether you’re new to Korean cooking or looking to expand your favorites, this list has something for every craving.
If you want to explore even more cozy Korean bowls, you can find them all in my Korean Soups & Stews category.
40+ Korean Soup & Stew Recipes
Guk (Light Soups)
Korean Seaweed Soup (Miyeokguk)
A nourishing Korean seaweed soup (miyeokguk) made with tender beef, dried seaweed, and a clean rice-water broth. Light, savory, and ready in about 30 minutes — perfect for birthdays or everyday comfort.
Korean Beef Radish Soup (Sogogi Muguk)
A clear and comforting Korean beef radish soup (sogogi muguk) made with thin-sliced beef, sweet Korean radish, and a light umami broth. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a simple, nourishing soup that’s perfect with warm rice.
Tteokguk (Korean Rice Cake Soup)
A classic Korean rice cake soup with a clean, clear beef broth, tender sliced tteok, and seasoned shredded beef on top. A comforting bowl enjoyed on Korean New Year or anytime you want something warm and simple.
Mandu-guk (Korean Dumpling Soup)
Quick 15-minute Korean dumpling soup made with frozen mandu simmered in a light, savory broth. Cozy, simple, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Kimchi Bean Sprout Soup (Kimchi Kongnamul-guk)
A light Korean bean sprout soup with tangy kimchi and a clear broth. Ready in 20 minutes for a simple, cozy meal.
Korean Fish Cake Soup (Eomuk Guk / Odeng Guk)
A light, cozy Korean fish cake soup made with anchovy broth, radish, and tender fish cakes that soak up all the flavor. Savory, comforting, and easy to make.
15-Minute Dried Pollock Soup (Bugeo-guk)
Dried pollock fish is simmered with soybean sprouts and tofu in a flavorful stock to make a light Korean style hangover soup. It takes only 15 minutes to fix this breakfast soup.
Korean Seaweed Egg Drop Soup
Korean-style seaweed egg drop soup is light, flavorful, and easy to make with just a few ingredients. Korean soybean paste (doenjang) adds deep umami, perfect with rice.
Korean Cold Cucumber Soup (Oi Naengguk)
Oi Naengguk is a classic Korean cold cucumber soup. The light and refreshing taste of fresh cucumbers and seaweed in a chilled savory broth is perfect for hot summer days.
Beef and Bean Sprout Soup
Lean beef slices are quickly simmered with bean sprouts in a spicy broth, this beef and bean sprout soup brings a Korean comfort when you need it. serve with rice and kimchi.
Easy Ground Beef Rice Cake Soup
This ground beef rice cake soup recipe is easy and you don't need to make soup stock separately. The soup is still flavorful but only easier to make.
Doenjang Guk (Soybean Paste Soup with Beef and Watercress)
This comforting Korean soybean paste soup (doenjang guk) is made with beef, watercress, and chives. It's flavor is light yet robust, appropriate to enjoy any time of the day.
Korean Turnip Green Soup with Potato
Korean turnip green and potato soup makes is homey and comforting. Korean soybean paste deepens the flavor of broth and makes it delicious to serve with rice.
Jjigae (Korean Stews)
Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
Doenjang jjigae is a cozy Korean soybean paste stew made with umami-rich broth, tender tofu, and simple vegetables. This quick 20-minute version is deeply savory, satisfying, and easy enough for any weeknight.
Kimchi Jjigae (Korean Pork Kimchi Stew)
A bold and tangy Korean kimchi stew made with aged kimchi, pork belly, and soft tofu. Savory and comforting, and ready in about 40 minutes — great with rice.
Sundubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew with Seafood)
A bubbling, spicy Korean soft tofu stew with silken tofu, clams, shrimp, and kimchi in an anchovy-kelp broth. Classic sundubu jjigae made simple at home.
Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)
Budae Jjigae, Korean Army Stew, is a spicy, hearty fusion of Korean and American flavors. Loaded with Spam, sausage, kimchi, and ramen, it’s the ultimate hot pot to share with family and friends.
Easy Spam Kimchi Jjigae
Spam kimchi jjigae is the easiest kimchi stew you can make. You will only need just a few ingredients to make. Just dump them in a pot and simmer until soft. Serve this comfort stew with rice.
Beef and Tofu Stew in a Skillet
Beef tofu stew in a skillet is a quick, rustic Korean dish. With marbled beef, soft tofu, and zucchini in a spicy seafood broth, it's pure comfort!
Gochujang Jjigae (Spicy Pork and Zucchini Stew)
Gochujang jjigae is a spicy Korean stew made with pork belly, zucchini, and a rich gochujang broth. Bold, comforting, and perfect with warm rice for an easy weeknight meal.
Tomato Kimchi Stew
Tomato gives a flavor twist to the traditional Korean kimchi stew (kimchi jjigae). The tomato sauce in the kimchi stew will brighten up the flavor without tasting it.
Korean Spicy Tuna and Potato Stew
Make this Korean style spicy tuna and potato stew with a canned tuna, potato, and zucchini. It's simple and delicious to serve with rice.
Anchovy Kimchi Stew (Myulchi Kimchi Jjigae)
Kimchi stew with anchovies is a classic Korean southern style kimchi jjigae. This comforting Korean stew requires a long simmering time and uses two different type of oils.
Mackerel Pike Kimchi Stew
Mackerel pike kimchi stew is a popular Korean kimchi jjigae recipe. Adding a can of mackerel pike deepens the taste of kimchi stew.
Tang (Hearty Soups & Bone Broths)
Yukgaejang (Korean Spicy Beef Soup)
Authentic Yukgaejang, a hearty Korean spicy beef soup made with tender brisket, leeks, and chili oil. Bold, comforting, and ready in about 2 hours.
Galbitang (Korean Short Rib Soup)
Galbitang (Korean short rib soup) is a comforting Korean beef soup with tender short ribs, Korean radish, and glass noodles (dangmyeon) in a clear, savory broth. Make it the traditional way on the stovetop or a quicker version in the Instant Pot.
Seolleongtang (Korean Ox Bone Soup)
A cozy Korean beef bone soup with a creamy white broth made from long-simmered ox bones. Deeply comforting and easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Dakdoritang (Korean Spicy Chicken Stew)
Dakdoritang is a Korean spicy chicken stew made with tender chicken, potatoes, and carrots simmered in a bold gochujang and gochugaru broth. Hearty, flavorful, and perfect with rice.
Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup)
A traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup made with a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, and jujube, then simmered in a clean herbal broth. Light, nourishing, and comforting any time of year.
Dakgaejang (Spicy Korean Chicken Soup)
A classic Korean spicy chicken soup made with tender shredded chicken, leeks, and chili oil in a rich, flavorful broth. Light yet deeply satisfying, this homemade dakgaejang is perfect for when you crave warmth and hearty Korean flavors.
Korean Ox Tail Bone Marrow Soup
Korean ox tail bone marrow soup is full of collagen. All you need to do is to add water and simmer for hours. Serve with rice and kimchi.
Korean Crab Stew (kkotgetang)
Fresh crabs makes a delicious seafood stew. This full flavored Korean crab stew is mildly spicy seasoned with Korean pastes. Add shrimp or other seafood you like.
Instant Pot Korean Beef Stew
Cooking Korean beef stew in an instant pot is easy and quick. Beef brisket, leeks, and mushrooms are cooked together in a spicy broth.
Jeongol (Korean Hot Pots)
Korean Beef Bulgogi Hot Pot (Bulgogi Jeongol)
Bulgogi hot pot is a Korean beef hot pot dish with marinated bulgogi meat, a variety of vegetables, and glass noodles in a savory and slightly sweet broth. It is a perfect dish to share with family and friends.
Guksu (Noodle Soups)
Janchi Guksu (Korean Noodle Soup)
A light and comforting Korean noodle soup made with somyeon noodles in a clean anchovy broth. Simple, homey, and ready in minutes — a refreshing everyday bowl that always hits the spot.
20-Minute Kimchi Udon Noodle Soup
Quick and flavorful, this Kimchi Udon Soup recipe combines spicy kimchi with savory dashi and smooth udon for a perfect Korean-Japanese fusion.
Hand Torn Chicken Noodle Soup (Sujebi)
Hand torn noodle soup (sujebi) is Korean version of chicken and dumpling. Potato is added to the simple dumpling and simmered in a savory chicken stock.
Korean Knife Cut Noodle Soup (Kalguksu)
Korean knife cut noodle soup made with chicken (dak kalguksu) is a soul comforting chicken soup of Korea. Korean herb broth makes it very flavorful. This recipe uses homemade noodles but store-bought noodles work fine, too.
Juk (Porridge)
Korean Pumpkin Porridge (Hobakjuk)
Smooth and lightly sweet, this Korean pumpkin porridge (hobakjuk) is made with kabocha and sweet rice. A cozy, creamy dish you can enjoy for breakfast or dessert in just 30 minutes.
Danpatjuk (Korean Sweet Red Bean Porridge)
A warm and gently sweet Korean red bean porridge made with simmered azuki beans and a chewy rice cake topping. Cozy, earthy, and perfect for cold days.
I hope this roundup gives you plenty of cozy Korean bowls to enjoy at home. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick weekday soup or a slow-simmered stew, there’s always something comforting simmering in a Korean kitchen. Happy cooking!
Korean Beef Radish Soup
Korean beef radish soup is often served in winter time in Korea, however, you can enjoy this comforting soup anytime of the year. Gluten-free!
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb beef stewing meat, small chunks
- 1-½ lb Korean radish, peeled and cut into ¼-inch thick bite size pieces
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 5 cups water
- 1 large piece dried sea kelp (dashima)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (gukganjang)
- 1 handful chopped Asian leek or green onion
- pinches salt to taste
- dashes pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oils in a 4 qt soup pot over med-low heat. Add the beef and cook until browned.
- Add radish pieces and toss together with beef. Pour water and add dried sea kelp. Cover with a lid and bring it to boil over med-high heat. When boiling, remove the sea kelp and discard.
- Using a small fine mesh strainer, scoop out scums floating on top. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, covered.
- Add garlic and Korean soup soy sauce or tuna sauce. Add salt to season according to your taste.
- Add the Asian leek or green onion, and pepper. Remove from heat and serve hot with rice and kimchi
Notes
Korean radishes are easily found in most Korean stores. If not available, use daikon radish and add 1 teaspoon of sugar to the soup when simmering.
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